Welcome

Welcome to the POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ/AIDSmeds community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: When do side effects generally begin? (Read 4448 times)

I just started meds last Tuesday and so far so good. Is there a general time table as to when possible side effects start?My numbers are NOT good right now and I had to start a regimen with newer drugs right away. No time to wait for the genetic test results. I'll know more in a few weeks.

In my experience they seem to happen between weeks 2 and 4. Seems it's the first month that one might feel anything bad, but then effects generally lessen and/or relatively disappear. For me nothing every seemed to happen during the first week -- headache at most.

Of course, you didn't even say what meds you're on so there's not much others are going to share. I've also had MANY HIV meds where I felt almost nothing, so I'd advise greatly not over anticipating having side effects or you may end up making yourself think you have more than you do. Why worry about something until it actually happens -- otherwise you just cause yourself unneeded anxiety issues.

I'm on almost the same combo, except truvada in place of your intelence. This has been the most void of side effects of any combo I've taken over 15 years. Hopefully you will experience the same. I get some *slight* diarrhea from the norvir, but I've always been prone to that from any combo and this diarrhea is barely worth mentioning. Immodium easily controls it.

Both times I tried meds I had side effects within a matter of three days which were severe enough to make me stop taking the medicine. That was on Sustiva and Truvada, though the Sustiva is the suspect. My side effects were the usual poor sleep and feeling confused/depressed/irritable, but in addition I was extremely exhausted and had a total loss of appetite. I could only lie in bed all day and could not choke down any food.

Wow....I hope you were able to find something that worked for you....generally I've been fortunate in my reaction to medicines. With Kaletra there was the intestinal "distress", of course and years ago I had a bout of AZT fatigue, but other than that side immediate side effect s haven't been too bad for me....Of course lipoatrophy "snuck up" on me about 4 1/2 years ago, after being on AZT for a number of years, but I guess you can't be lucky in everything!

And Scott, I haven't used the PM feature on the board yet, but will look into it....

Logged

ďKeep up the good work.... And God bless you.Ē -- Sarah Palin, to members of the Alaskan Independence Party, 2008

Both times I tried meds I had side effects within a matter of three days which were severe enough to make me stop taking the medicine. That was on Sustiva and Truvada, though the Sustiva is the suspect. My side effects were the usual poor sleep and feeling confused/depressed/irritable, but in addition I was extremely exhausted and had a total loss of appetite. I could only lie in bed all day and could not choke down any food.

Uh, but weren't you having some other medical complication on top of that as I recall -- how do you know what was causing what?

Uh, but weren't you having some other medical complication on top of that as I recall -- how do you know what was causing what?

You're absolutely correct, philly - I had (and am technically still under treatment for) tuberculosis. About halfway through that treatment though, and feeling absolutely great.

I just started the Sustiva/Truvada again last night - my docs have a theory that this time I'll have few of those severe side effects as they think they were from the TB, which is now well under control. So far so good, but it always takes a few days for the side effects to show up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Man was I dizzy last night - almost fell down going to the bathroom.

...Is there a general time table as to when possible side effects start?

Scott: If you don't feel any side effects after 4 or 5 days, it might be too early to cheer. After a few weeks you've probably been through the worst of it (of maybe little at all). Your priorities are right; we take the meds for our health, not for our comfort. Relax and just see what happens.

The longest I have been side-effect free was 15 days. They come and they go, at least for me. I actually expect to feel slightly ill daily, but for less than an hour's duration each occasion. I am grateful for quick improvement, so I can go about my business.